Recent media reports on new, nationally harmonised occupational health and safety law have caused some concerns in the Victorian volunteering community.

Reminder

The new law has been adopted in other states, but it does not currently apply in Victoria.  Existing Victorian OHS law remains the status quo.

Fair and equal standards

When it is adopted in Victoria, the new OHS law will recognise volunteers as workers – only in organisations that also employ paid staff.

This means that in those organisations the same health and safety standards will apply for paid and unpaid colleagues.

For more detail about the new law, read our fact sheet.

Volunteer liability

Media reports have focused on the potential for individual volunteers to face fines and prosecution.

It is true that volunteers in organisations that also have paid staff will have legal obligations under the new law and that the law provides for punitive measures for volunteer workers.

In practice, according to Safe Work Australia, this is highly unlikely.  Read a statement from Safe Work Australia.

Practical impacts limited

Many Victorian organisations and their volunteers already have duties under existing Victorian OHS laws.  Thankfully, many also have robust safety practices already in place.

There may be some organisations that need to improve their practices or revise their policies in common sense ways.

Support is and will be available to help volunteering organisations adapt to the new laws.

Volunteering Victoria is liaising with state and federal workplace safety authorities to seek clarification on practical implications of the law and to make sure adequate education, advice and support will be available.

Call us

To discuss this issue, please call Volunteering Victoria on 8327 8500.

UPDATE

Safe Work Australia has established a telephone help line called the Volunteer Assistance Line. This is a dedicated helpline to assist volunteers and volunteer organisations with the new WHS laws.

The Volunteer Assistance Line number is: 02 6240 4990